#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Richard Overton

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Richard Overton. Richard served during World War II from 1940 to 1945.

Richard was born in Bastrop County, Texas in 1906. He was in his 30s when he answered his call to serve in the Army. He enlisted and completed his training at Fort Sam Houston in 1940. During his service, Richard served with the all-black 1887^th Engineer Aviation Battalion. Some of his assignments were burial detail, base security and being a lieutenant’s jeep driver. Richard’s service was in the South Pacific which included Hawaii, Guam and Iwo Jima. He left the Army as a corporal in 1945. Richard earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge.

After his service, Richard worked at a local furniture store before gaining employment at the Texas Department of the Treasury. He resided in his Texas home smoking cigars and enjoying a daily routine before passing away at the age of 112. Richard was the oldest American and the oldest living World War II Veteran.

We honor his service.

More of his story can be found at https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.89813

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Graphic By Alexandra Craig: Alexandra Craig is an undergraduate senior at the University of San Francisco studying International Peace and Conflict Studies.